Turf Moor Developments

Preparations for the 2016/17 Premier League season are continuing at Turf Moor and the Barnfield Training Centre with the installation of new floodlights.

The iconic towers in each corner of the ground have now been removed to make way for a new state of the art system in order to comply with Premier League broadcasting requirements.

And as well as this work, the Barnfield Training Centre will also benefit from a new floodlight system ahead of the new campaign.

Stadium and Operations Manager Doug Metcalfe explained: “We’re in the middle of a mutli-million pound project to replace the existing system which is almost 20 years old now and nearing the end of its economical life.

"We are installing a new LED system which is compliant with the Premier League broadcasting requirements and have worked closely with Musco Lighting (Europe) to achieve the chosen solution.

"All the existing lights have now been removed and the two iconic towers have now been dismantled and brought down safely.

“We’re now in the process of installing the infrastructure for the new system, which include pilled foundations for the two new 44m high replacement towers, replacement and cabling to all 160, new lamp positions, doubling the current light level output.

"Over and above the towers, new lighting will be installed on all four stands.

"The Barnfield Training Centre also benefits from the installation of new lighting, specifically, the replacement of the ageing 3G pitch system and the introduction of lighting to the ‘top pitch’, previously the principal 1st team training pitch. The total capital expenditure for the lighting programme is around £1.2m."

Work to improve the club’s infrastructure off the field will also be reflected in the new Clarets Store which is due to be opened in August.

Despite initial difficulty with the groundworks, the project is now expected to be completed before the start of the new season.

Metcalfe added: “We’re working hard to make sure we the Clarets Store incorporating the Ticket Office are completed and open in early August.”

“It’s been a difficult and complex project due to the nature of the site and we’ve encountered a number of issues within the ground works element, however, the building is now taking shape well.”

“We’re working closely with the contractor to accelerate the process wherever possible to ensure we achieve the critical completion date.”